Furnace-charging mechanism



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

P. H. DANIELS. FURNAGE GHA-RGING MECHANISM.

Patented vJuly 26, 1887.

MNR. N 2552:25551:

(No Mod'elf) 2 sh t -sn' t 2.

P. H. DANIELS. e ee FURNAGE GHARGIVNG .MBGHANISM 10.361194 Patented July26,1887.

ll J UNITED STATES YFATENT OFFICE.

FEED H. VDANIELS, oE WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FURNACECHARGING"MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NoL 367,194, dated July 26,1887, Application filed February 19, 1887. Serial No. 228,252. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED H. DANIELS, a citizen of the United States,residing at W'orcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFurnace- Charging Mechanism for RollingMill Products, of which thefollowing, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specificationsufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the artto which this invent-ion appertains to make and use the same.

The objects of my present invention are, rst, to provide a simpleand'efficient apparatus for mechanically introducing or chargingbillets, bars, rods, and similar rolling-mill productsinto a heatingfurnace; second, to provide, in a furnace-charging mechanism, a carrierwhereon the bar, billet, or product is supported for its introductionint-o the furnace, which carrier is capable of an oscillating or tippingaction for effecting the discharge of the bar within the furnace; third,to provide, in a charging apparatus, in combination with means forsupporting and projecting the same into'a furnace, which carrier isadapted for discharging the bar or product therefrom laterally right orleft; fourth, to abrd, in combinaiion with the charging mechanism,means7 under control of the attendant for directing thedischarge of theproduct from the carrier either to theI right or to the left thereof, asmay 'be desired; fifth, to provide, in a furnace. charging apparatus,areceiving mechanism for receiving and supporting the billetor bar whilethe charging device is advancing and receding to and from the furnace;sixth, to provide,in combination with receiving and charging mechanism,means for effecting the release of the bar from the receiving mechanismand its delivery to the charging'carrier when the latter is at properposition for its reception; and, seventh, to provide, in combinationwith a furnacecharging apparatus, a receiving and supporting mechanismfor the temporary support of a hot bar, in which the supporter isadapted for inclosing and protecting the bar from the atmosphere and forretaining theinherent heat thereof. These objects Iattain by mechanismthe nature and operation of which is explained in the followingdescription, the

particular subject-matter claimed being hereinafter definitelyspecified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of a charging apparatus,illustrating the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthesame. Fig. 3 is aplan view illustrating a modified construction ofthe cam devices for controlling the tipping action of the carrier. Fig.4 is an end viewonasomewhatlargerscale. Figisatransverse verticalsection at linexx, Fig. 1,1ooking toward thesupporting frame orcarriage. Fig. 6 is a'detail View showing the side of thedischarging-cam, a portion of the carrier, and other parts at a positionadjacent to the furnace. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view lookingtoward the discharge-cam. Fig. Sis a sectional view illustrating amodification in construction of the carrier. i In the presentdrawings,thefurnaceA is not shown in its full dimensions, owing tothelimit ofspace on the drawingsheet; but it will beunderstood that saidfurnace may be of any suitable construction and dimensions. For the purpose of this description it will be considered as a furnace ofthe kindordinarily employed for heating long bars or billets preparatory toreducing them by rolling operation in a wire-rod train.

The first part of my present invention re lates to the means forintroducing the bars in to the furnace. For this purpose I employ acarrier, C, consisting of a long beam, having thereon a cradle orsurface for sustaining the billet or bar, which carrier is mounted, inconnection with a movable supporting-frame, in a manner to haveoscillative movement, so that the end of said carrier, with the productto be charged, can be projected forward into the furnace and the cradleor sustaining surface then tipped or inclined to one side fordischarging the bar or product therefrom laterally to deposit it on. thebottom of the furnace. Combined with this charging-carrier I employmeans for advancing and retracting it to and from the furnace by powerunder easy control of an attendant, and also devices for effecting thetipping ofthe carrier automatically when at the proper position and atthe proper instant of time. The carrier is preferably formed of a singlebeam or girder supported in substantially horizontal position by meansof the IOO frame or carriage B at its rear end, and lon gitudinallymovable along a track or guideway, E, to and from the mouth of thefurnace, the carriage being connected with hydraulic mechanism wherebythe charger is advanced and retracted under control of the attendant,who manipulates the valve devices h, as desired.

The carriage B is preferably provided with truck-wheels c e, that run onthe guideways or tracks E, and also has at its rear end a set ofguard-rollers, c', that lock under the flanges of the trackbeams, so asto prevent the rear end of the carriage from tipping up by preponderanceof weight of the carrier and its load.

The carrier C is in the present instance journaled on its supportingframe or carriage B in such a manner that it can be oscillated or tippedlaterally to the right or left, the beam being furnished withcylindrical bearings D, fixed thereon, and working in connection with aseries of anti-friction rollers, d, mounted upon the supportingframe B.That part of the carrier C which enters the furnace extends from itssupportingcarriage B in a clear projection of sufficient length tosustain the bar, and is provided with lateral arms or flanges C',preferably upwardly inclined, which form a seat or cradle for containingthe bar or product to be introduced to the furnace. The space upon theseflanges or cradle C may be adapted for charging bars singly or forcharging several bars, more or less, at one time. C2 is a guard-lug atthe back end of the cradle.

The mechanism which I deem best for moving the charger forward and backconsists of a long cylinder, H, having a piston-rod, II, which connectsdirect to a portion of the earriage or supporting-frame B. Said cylinderII is adapted for double action or for introducing pressure at front orrear of the piston under control of suitable valve mechanism, h. InFigs. l and 2 of the' drawings this cylinder' is shown shortened, so asto bring it within the limit of the drawing-sheet.

F indicates an arm attached to the carrierbeam C near thesupporting-frame B. The end of this arm, which is preferably providedwith a roller, F, engages with an inclined deflector or cam, I, as thecharger-frame appreaches the furnace, and is by said deflector forced toone side for oscillating or tipping the carrier sufliciently to dump thebar from the carrier onto the furnace-bottom.

G denotes a counterbalance -weight connected to the carrier-beam C by anarm, G', which serves to return the carrier to normal position as it isretracted after depositing the bar within the furnace.

The defiector or cam-plate I is preferably made double and adjustable,or provided with a switching device, so that it can be used for tippingthe chargingcarrier either to the right or to the left, as desired. Aconvenient construction for this mechanism is shown in Fig. 7. In thisinstance the camfplate I is fixed to a slide-plate, I, which is movableupon its supporting-frame A in a direction lateral to the charger. Thesupporting-frame A may be attached to the guidewaytracks E or to the endof the furnace A, as preferred. The slide-plate I is retained to theframe A by bolts i, that pass through slots, as indicated, or in otherequivalent manner.

I2 indicates a link whereby the slide-plate is connected with a lever orother suitable handle at convenient position for moving the plate I forshifting the cam.

I3 indicates a locking latch or dog for retaining the parts at positionsofadjustment. Vhen the cam I is in the position shown, the arm F runsonto the right-hand side of the cani-plate I and the carrier C is tippedto discharge its load to the left. By releasing the dog l, and shiftingthe slide-plate l so that the dog will take into notch ri, the cam I iscarried to the left, so that the arm F will run onto the opposite sideof the point of .said cam, and the carrier will be thereby tipped todischarge its load to the right, or in opposite direction to that shownin Fig. 7. Asuitable spring-catch, J, is provided for retaining thecarrier G at normal position. Said catch is connected by a rod, j, witha lever or arm, J, at the front of the carriage B, which lever isengaged and depressed by a downwardlyinclined portion, I5, on thecam-plate I, as the roll F approaches the point of said cam-plate. Thisaction draws up the rod j and releases the latch J, so that it will notinterfere with the tipping ofthe carrier G bythe arm F. When the chargeris retracted and the arms F and J are relieved from the cam I, thecounter-weight G swings the parts into engagement with the catch J. Thelatch is provided with oppositely-directed inclines, so as toaccommodate both right and left swinging action of the carrier andcounter-weight.

In lieu of making the entire carrier-beam C to tip or oscillate, it mayin some instances be made with hinged flanges or with the cradle Chinged to the body or web of the beam,

IOO

lIO

the discharge of the bars being effected by' rocking over the cradle ordropping one ofthe flanges at the side of the beam. (See Fig. 8.)

The cam devices I, if desired, may in some instances be constructed, asillustrated in Fig. 3, with side guiding-bars, I,which confine the endof the arm F or its roll F throughout the course of its movement as thecharger runs forward and back. The rear ends of bars IG can extendthrough the openings of the frame B and be sustained by any suitableform of rigid standard disposed on the tracks E or floor at a positionback ofthe said frame. In the event of using this cam and guides such asshown in Fig. 3 the counter-weight G and latching device J could bedispensed with,as the guides IG would return and retain the beam atnormal position by the aid of the arm F. In this construction theswitching for right and left discharge is effected with a bar, I7,pivoted to the cam I in a manner to swing IIS to said carrier C when thelatter is at its re-` across either of the spaceways c or a', therebyforcing the roll F to pass into the other spaceway as it approaches thecam.

The second part of my invention relates to means for. receiving andtemporarily supporting the bar during the time the charging-carrier ismaking its advance and retractive movements. This feature is moreespecially designed for service when charging hot bars or billetscontinuously or automatically delivered to the charging mechanism, saidbars being transferred from a rolling-mill or elsewhere by means of aroller-bed, endless travcling apron, or other suitable transfer anddelivering mechanism. For this purpose I .arrange above the carrierGland parallel there- .with a bar receiver or supporter, K, having achamber or space into which the bar is delivered from a transfer device,L, and from which the bar can be dropped or transferred tractedposition. Y

The bar-supporter K is preferably formed with channeled, curved, orangular side pieces of a length equal io or exceeding that of the bar,which pieces t together and form an inclosing-case7 within which the baris inclosed and temporarily retained, and while so retained is protectedfrom the oxidizing and cooling effects of the atmosphere. The supporteris provided with hinges, as at K', so that the parts canswing open orseparate longitudinally to release the bar and allow it to fall 'or bedelivered uponthe carrier C. This bar-receiving mechanism is disposed ina position overhead of the charging-carrier, and is supported by asuitable frame-work or hangers, M, in a manner that will permit of thecharging apparatus running to and from the furnace without interfering.therewith. l

N N indicate arms or levers which are combined with the hinged parts ofthe inclosingcase or supporter K, for the purpose of opening or swingingsaid hinged'parts away from each other forv releasing the inclosed bar.ln the present instancersaid levers are curved in proper manner toeingagevwith lugs or rolls n on the charger-carriage B, whereby thesup-V porter K is opened autonfatically when the charger is run back toits normal position, and the cradle of the carrier C is in properlocation to catch the bar as it falls from the supporter K. Then whenthe charger is advanced,therollsn release the levers N, and thesupporterl is closed for receiving and retaining the next succeeding barwhile the charger is delivering the bar contained on the carrier y intothe furnace.

K in lieu of the levers N and engaging-rolls n,

said cylinder being arranged at any convenient position.

P indicates a presser-roll, combined with the transfer delivery-bed L,for driving forward the bar from said bed into the receivingsupporter K.Roll P may be operated by a belt, P', from an overhead shaft and pulley,or in any other convenient manner.

In case it is desired to kemploy a transfer mechanism or delivery-waythat delivers the bars laterally instead of longitudinally, thesupporter K may be made open at the top, so as to allow the bar to passinto the inclosingspaee. A receivingsupporter of this nature may beformed of two channel-beams placed at a short distance apart, with atrap or door across the bottom of the space to open and close for`releasing and confining the bar, as desired.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: The bar havingbeen placed upon the carrier O, the valve of the hydraulic cylinder Hisl opened, admitting power to force forward the piston. This moves thecarriage B along the tracks E and advances the carrier C and bar intothe furnace A. When the charger reaches its forward position, the arm Fruns onto the cam I, which by throwing said arm to one side tips thecarrier-cradle laterally and dumps the bar therefrom upon the furnace-bottom. The valve is then shifted and pressure in the cylinderreversed, and the hydraulic piston retracts the carriage and earrier.When said parts arrive at their rearmost position, the rolls n engageand lift the levers N, thereby opening the receiving-supporter K,allowing a bar which has been entered therein to fall onto the carrierC, when the above operation is repeated.

1 Vhat Iclaim as of my invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. In afurnace-charging mechanism for rolling-mill product,a carrierconsisting of a beam mounted onV a movable support to present aforwardly-projecting portion adapted for entering the furnace, andprovided` upon said projecting portion with a seat or cradle forcontaining the bar or product to be charged, and means, as described,for effecting the discharge of the bar` laterally therefrom when withinkthe furnace, substantially as set forth.

2.A charging mechanism for introducing rolling-mill product into aheating-furnace, consisting of a carrier-beam, having a seat or cradle,whereon the product is placed, mounted to have oscillating or tippingaction,in combination with a movable support or carriage for advancingand retracting said carrier into and fromithe furnace, substantially asset forth.

3. A furnace-charging device consisting of an overhanging beam, havingaseat or cradle for retaining a metal bar or rolling-mill product whileadvancing it intoa heating-furnace, in combination with asupport forcarrying said beam into and from the furnace and lOO IIS

means for imparting oscillatory or tipping action for discharging theproduct into the furnacebottom, substantially as set forth.

et. Ina furnace-chargingapparatus,the combination of an oscillating ortipping carrier for sustaining the har or product to be charged, amovable carriage whercon said carrier is mounted, aguideway fordirecting said earrlage to and from the furnace, and a powermechanism ormotor with connections for imparting motion to said carriage,substantially as set forth. Y

5. In a charging apparatus for rollingmill product, the combination ofan oscillating or laterally-tipping carrier, whercon the product isplaced, a movable carriage supporting said carrier, a hydraulic motorwhereby said earrler with its load is advanced into the furnace, andlneans for automatically effecting tipping action of said carrier whilewithin the furnace for discharging the load therefrom, substantially asset forth.

6. Theeombinatomin a charging mechanism, of a stationary guideway, asupportingframe or carriage movable on said guideway, a carrier-beamsupported in bearings on said carriage and having a cradle forcontaining the product to be charged into the furnace, means,substantially as described,for effecting tipping action in either rightor left direction to discharge the product from said cradle, andmechanism for advancing and retracting the charger to and from thefurnace, substalr tially as set forth.

7. The combination, in a charging mechan ism, of a tipping beam orcradle supporting the product to be introduced into the furnace, an armfor tipping said cradle, and a cam for controlling the tipping action,substantially as set forth.

8. Thecombiuatiomwith the charging beam or carrier mounted for tippingaction on its supporting-frame or reciprocating carriage, of an armattached to said beam, and a cani or defiector for engaging said arm asthe supporting-frame approaches the furnace to effect tipping actionofthe carrier, substantially as and for the-purpose set forth.

9. In afurnace-charging apparatus,the combination, with a carriermounted to have oscillatory action and provided with an operating-arm,as F, ot' a cam or defiecting device for engaging said arm, having rightand left inclines, and means for shifting or switching the mechanism atwill to effect deflection of said arm either by theleft or by the righthand incline, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a furnace-charging apparatus, the combination of acharging-carrier monnte'd to oscillate or tip on itssupporting-carriage, and i a eouiitenweight connected with said carrierfor returning it to normal position, substan tially as set forth.

1I. In a furnacefcharging apparatus, the combination of an oscillatingcarrier-beam, a cam or detlector for tipping said beam, a counterwveight connected with said carrier for returning it to normalposition, and a locking and for the purpose set forth.

12. The co1nbination,with a charging mechanism for introducingrolling-mill product into a heating'furnace, of means for receivbar orproduct delivered to the apparatus while the charger is advancing orreturning to or from the furnace in making the preceding charge and forreleasing said bar to deposit it upon the charger when said chargerliasreturned to normal position, substantially as set forth.

13. A furmiceicharging apparatus having an overhead receiver and supportfor the billet, bar, or product above the charging-carrier in a positionto deliver the bar upon the said carrier, in combination with thecharging-carrier and means for releasing or discharging the bartherefrom to permit it to fall toits position on the carrier when saidcarrier is at normal position, substantiallyas set forth. v

14. In combination with the chargingcarrier, a receiving mechanismhaving a hinged supporter adapted,wl1en closed, for receiving andsupporting the har and for releasing said har to deliver it upon thecharging-carrier by opening or separating said hinged supporter,substai'itially as set forth.

15. In combination with the charging-carrier, a receiving mechanismhaving a hinged supporter for retaining the bar,\vhen closed, andadapted to open for releasing the bar, and means forautomaticallyopening said receiver when the carrier is at normalposition for depositing the bar thereon, substantially as set forth.

16. In a furnace-charging apparatus, the combinatiomwith t-hcchargingcarrie1,of a receiving mechanism having a supporter whichsurrounds or incloses the bar, substantially as set forth, whereby hotmetal bars are protected from the oxidizing effect of the atmosphere andtheir inherent heat retained.

17. In a furnace-charging apparatus, the combination of adelivering-way, as L, an overhead supporter receiving the bars orproduct from said way and temporarily supporting the same, acharging-carrier mounted adjacent thereto on asupportiiig-carriage,means for opening said receiving-supporter to trailsfer the bartherefrom to the chargingcarrier, a powermotor connected with saidcarriersupporting carriage, guideways along which said carriage travelsto and from the furnace, and devices for discharging the bar from thecarrier into the furnace, substantially as set forth.

Vtitness my hand this 11th day of February, A. D. 188i'.

FRED II. DANIELS.

Witnesses:

GHAs. H. Beamten, ELLA l?. BLnNUs.

device for retaining the same, substantially as ing and temporarilysupporting asucceeding IOO IIO

